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The Most Encouraging Book on Hell Ever
It's become a modern question because of the traditional How can God be both loving and wrathful? In The Most Encouraging Book on Hell Ever, Thor Ramsey (an author, pastor, and comedian...but don’t let that fool you) tackles this question by probing deeper. Avoiding the caricatures of God as either a Frankenstein out to crush you or a Santa Claus ready to grant your every wish (as long as you've been really, really good), he asks, “What changes about God if this traditional understanding of the doctrine of hell changes?” As it turns out, everything changes. If you think a God without hell is more loving, this book will surprise you. While many believe that by eliminating hell they’re getting a new and improved God, this new thinking is more troubling than the old doctrine itself. The new doctrine of hell being sold today is only good news at the most superficial level, leaving us with a wrath-less God who tolerates evils that make even the average atheist cringe. What if hell itself is good news about God? What if hell highlights everything we find glorious about God? What if the loss of hell leaves the world with a smaller God? Discover why the church needs a new and different breed of hellfire-and-brimstone preacher in the pulpit today. If you can’t imagine how the doctrine of hell could ever make you say, “Praise God,” this book (often funny, but deadly serious) lays out the biblical vision.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2013
18 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Thor Ramsey
7 books1 followerThor Ramsey is a comedian, writer and pastor who studied English Literature and Hellenistic Greek at Texas Christian University where he nearly graduated. Even though he also studied theology at Westminster Seminary (California), he is best known for the Thou Shalt Laugh DVDs and his stint as host of the comedy series Bananas. Thor had entertained thoughts of being a comedian since high school, thoughts he shared with a high school friend. “She had a dream one night that I did ‘The Tonight Show,” he said. She told him that he “had a good set, which always stuck with me. I thought, ‘Well, if you’re not going to follow your own dreams, you might as well follow somebody else’s.’” So, beginning in 1987, he was soon working forty-two weeks a year traveling the country as a standup comedian and continues to perform at special comedy events today. Eventually, he realized that “most comedians are just preachers who haven’t answered their call.” Thus, in addition to performing at comedy events, Thor helped plant Emmaus Church in Redlands, California, which is going strong in its eighth year. Then he served as teaching pastor of the Threshold services at Canyon Lake Community Church for four years and is now the lead pastor of a brand new church plant in Lake Elsinore, California called Center Church. Three publishers have been daring enough to distribute his books and one independently wealthy individual who is good friends with Stephen Baldwin has seen fit to finance his screenplay Youth Group, which he will also star in this coming year (2016). He lives in Southern California with his wife Dinika, daughters Eden Olivia and Kate Tulip and just the right distance from his mother-in-law, Maureen, to remain on speaking terms with her.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 7, 2014
Glory and more to the point, God's glory is what makes this The Most Encouraging Book on Hell. Thor Ramsey writes that hell affirms the holiness of God and his other attributes that are not commonly known in churches today such as his truth, righteousness, and justice, and without those attributes, we would not have the grace we have now in Christ. The world does not have a healthy fear of God and it is from the church not having a healthy fear of God. We have created a god in our own image. A healthy fear of God keeps us from pride and compells us to extend grace to others just as Christ as done for us. That is when we have true humility. Because of our lack of fear of the Lord, we end up fearing the wrong things.
Thus will I spend my wrath upon the wall and upon those who have smeared it with whitewash, and I will say to you, The wall is no more, nor those who smeared it, 16 the prophets of Israel who prophesied concerning Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her, when there was no peace, declares the Lord God Ezekiel 13:15-16...This verse is prelevant in our culture because we have not thrown ourselves upon the mercy of God because we have become a culture of entitlement and not understanding that we are deserving of the wrath to come.
This short little book is to the point of God's Glory and God's glory is for our best. Without hell, the gospel becomes meaningless. God's glory is the gospel.
Thus will I spend my wrath upon the wall and upon those who have smeared it with whitewash, and I will say to you, The wall is no more, nor those who smeared it, 16 the prophets of Israel who prophesied concerning Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her, when there was no peace, declares the Lord God Ezekiel 13:15-16...This verse is prelevant in our culture because we have not thrown ourselves upon the mercy of God because we have become a culture of entitlement and not understanding that we are deserving of the wrath to come.
This short little book is to the point of God's Glory and God's glory is for our best. Without hell, the gospel becomes meaningless. God's glory is the gospel.
May 30, 2021
I did not find this book encouraging or helpful. According to my Goodreads list, this is the 19th book I've read about Hell (though I think I've missed some), and it was the worst. It has jokes.
In fact, it is full of sarcasm and humour and mocking those who reject or even struggle with the doctrine of Hell. The author spends time criticising those who deny Eternal Conscious Torment, but only cites Rob Bell's book LOVE WINS and an article from John Stott as examples.
He clearly does not understand or sympathise with the reasons people struggle with the doctrine of Hell. His answers to broad questions are based on pragmatic arguments (we need Hell to fear God and to live Holy lives), and strict Calvinism (God hates sinners; God is glorified by the eternal torment of the wicked; it is good and right that God pours out his wrath on sin.) His answer to the struggle of thinking about ones loved ones in Hell is Luke 14:26.
I want to be cautious because at a certain point I started skimming, and this is a very short book. I will not criticise the book further.
If you are specifically looking for reformed defenses of Eternal Concious Torment, Anthony Hoekema's section on the doctrine in THE BIBLE AND THE FUTURE and D. A. Carson's THE GAGGING OF GOD are good examples with Carson clearly having read and understood the opposition. These are not popular level works. Tim Keller's writing on the subject in THE REASON FOR GOD would fit. I do not recommend these because they are favourites of mine or because they are not problematic, but because they are better books from those who hold similar theology to this author.
In fact, it is full of sarcasm and humour and mocking those who reject or even struggle with the doctrine of Hell. The author spends time criticising those who deny Eternal Conscious Torment, but only cites Rob Bell's book LOVE WINS and an article from John Stott as examples.
He clearly does not understand or sympathise with the reasons people struggle with the doctrine of Hell. His answers to broad questions are based on pragmatic arguments (we need Hell to fear God and to live Holy lives), and strict Calvinism (God hates sinners; God is glorified by the eternal torment of the wicked; it is good and right that God pours out his wrath on sin.) His answer to the struggle of thinking about ones loved ones in Hell is Luke 14:26.
I want to be cautious because at a certain point I started skimming, and this is a very short book. I will not criticise the book further.
If you are specifically looking for reformed defenses of Eternal Concious Torment, Anthony Hoekema's section on the doctrine in THE BIBLE AND THE FUTURE and D. A. Carson's THE GAGGING OF GOD are good examples with Carson clearly having read and understood the opposition. These are not popular level works. Tim Keller's writing on the subject in THE REASON FOR GOD would fit. I do not recommend these because they are favourites of mine or because they are not problematic, but because they are better books from those who hold similar theology to this author.
January 12, 2018
I can't say that I've ever read a book like this. How could anyone find themselves laughing out loud while reading a book on hell? Sounds sick, doesn't it? (it does to me as a type this). I don't know how the author did it - but he created a thoughtful and winsome book on hell... full of humor. It's also a solid biblical response to the vapid views on hell that have been promulgated by popular pulpits in recent years.
August 1, 2019
The points made in this little book are needed for today's Christians who have a hard time defending or understanding an everlasting punishment as described in the Bible. The manner in which the Author writes the book makes the book hard to digest. Too much flippancy and inserted, 'entertainment' comments through out. They didn't prove helpful to the arguments but a distraction from.
January 12, 2024
An enjoyable book on hell
Thor Ramsey is spot on about each aspect on God and His ways! Without having an understanding of how He thinks, it is impossible to understand the reasons for hell.
I love Ramsey's delightful sarcasm but, even more so, his insight to God and His character! I recommend all born again Christians to read this book!
Thor Ramsey is spot on about each aspect on God and His ways! Without having an understanding of how He thinks, it is impossible to understand the reasons for hell.
I love Ramsey's delightful sarcasm but, even more so, his insight to God and His character! I recommend all born again Christians to read this book!
March 22, 2014
In what manner would you like to die? Would you prefer a slow, and possibly agonizing death, or would you rather experience a quick and hasty death that you have no time to prepare for? My default answer to this question, and the answer that most westerners would also give, has been that I would prefer a quick death (maybe going to sleep one night and never waking up?). However, that mentality of “avoid pain at all costs” has not always been the mindset of humans. Christian comedian and Pastor Thor Ramsey, in his book, The Most Encouraging Book on Hell EVER , tells of a life-changing moment in his own life that occurred while he was listening to lecturer Stanley Hauerwas from Duke Divinity School:
“Methodist theologian Stanley Hauerwas asked the audience how they would like to die. The responses ranged from ‘quickly’ to ‘in my sleep’ to ‘not on stage.’ (There was a comedian in the crowd.) Hauerwas then explained that medieval people feared a quick and sudden death because it would not give them time to be ministered to by the church. Armies even debated whether an ambush was immoral or not because it didn’t give their opponents time to prepare for death. Medieval people wanted a lingering death because this would give them time to reconcile with their enemies.” (pg. 27)
Wow, talk about a much different mindset than what pervades modern man! Medieval people were very worried about how a lack of reconciliation with both their fellow man and God would affect their eternal destiny. Our current mindset about eternity falls into one of the following categories: (1) Try and avoid thinking about eternity altogether because if we don’t think about it then we don’t have to deal with it; (2) Verbally argue away the existence of a Heaven and a Hell which is usually followed up with a belief in some form of annihilationism; (3) Hold to universalism in which everyone goes to Heaven at some point [either after a visit to Purgatory to atone for your sins, or immediately after you die]; or (4) Believe in a literal Heaven and Hell as taught by the Word of God. Ramsey’s book, The Most Encouraging Book on Hell EVER, is a brief glimpse from a Reformed perspective at each one of these beliefs and their lasting implications on those who hold them.
Also, I think it is definitely worth drawing attention towards the beginning of this book, even though Thor himself doesn’t mention it until the last chapter, that Thor’s own position has huge implications on his understanding of the eternal destiny of someone that he was extremely close to, namely his mother. Thor gracefully goes into excruciating detail about his own personal struggle with the doctrine of hell, especially in light of the fact that, outside of a death-bed conversion, his very own mother who passed away a few months prior to publication of his book is suffering in Hell at this very moment. Talk about gut-wrenching! The emotional turmoil that dealing with the reality of Hell can generate in any person is almost beyond words, so this book is a very personal one that Thor did not take lightly. As Thor says in that last chapter, “...this issue has true emotional force for me-it’s not just abstract theological doctrine or intellectual gymnastics.” (pg. 70) Therefore, not only was the book a labor of love for the church body as a whole, but also one of personal struggle, pain, triumph, and liberating joy found only in the hands of a Sovereign God who created not only a beautiful Heaven for His children, but a torturous Hell for the unrepentant.
Furthermore, the fact that Thor Ramsey is a practicing Christian comedian, I was very curious about how he would handle such a powerful and sensitive topic. I was very concerned that there would be some crude or cold remarks made at inopportune times in this book, but I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case at all. In fact, Thor’s jokes were well-timed and evenly spaced out in the book. I can honestly admit that I found myself chuckling a number of times during the reading of this book.
The Most Encouraging Book on Hell EVER is passionately evangelistic, and a wonderful antidote to the “Santa-Jesus” that is being peddled by the false teachers/preachers of modern times. The shift from a bible-centered view on Hell, to a “Hell can be whatever you want it to be (if you want to believe in it at all)” is something that Thor confronts with wonderfully gracious hands. He does not come across as vindictive at all towards those who have done, or are doing, the most damage to this Biblical doctrine. Instead, Thor goes again and again to the Word of God and powerfully refutes the false doctrines that are permeating modern society.
The Most Encouraging Book on Hell EVER is a brief, but biblical, handling of a very sensitive topic. I highly recommend this book to all believers.
I received this for free from Cruciform Press in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
“Methodist theologian Stanley Hauerwas asked the audience how they would like to die. The responses ranged from ‘quickly’ to ‘in my sleep’ to ‘not on stage.’ (There was a comedian in the crowd.) Hauerwas then explained that medieval people feared a quick and sudden death because it would not give them time to be ministered to by the church. Armies even debated whether an ambush was immoral or not because it didn’t give their opponents time to prepare for death. Medieval people wanted a lingering death because this would give them time to reconcile with their enemies.” (pg. 27)
Wow, talk about a much different mindset than what pervades modern man! Medieval people were very worried about how a lack of reconciliation with both their fellow man and God would affect their eternal destiny. Our current mindset about eternity falls into one of the following categories: (1) Try and avoid thinking about eternity altogether because if we don’t think about it then we don’t have to deal with it; (2) Verbally argue away the existence of a Heaven and a Hell which is usually followed up with a belief in some form of annihilationism; (3) Hold to universalism in which everyone goes to Heaven at some point [either after a visit to Purgatory to atone for your sins, or immediately after you die]; or (4) Believe in a literal Heaven and Hell as taught by the Word of God. Ramsey’s book, The Most Encouraging Book on Hell EVER, is a brief glimpse from a Reformed perspective at each one of these beliefs and their lasting implications on those who hold them.
Also, I think it is definitely worth drawing attention towards the beginning of this book, even though Thor himself doesn’t mention it until the last chapter, that Thor’s own position has huge implications on his understanding of the eternal destiny of someone that he was extremely close to, namely his mother. Thor gracefully goes into excruciating detail about his own personal struggle with the doctrine of hell, especially in light of the fact that, outside of a death-bed conversion, his very own mother who passed away a few months prior to publication of his book is suffering in Hell at this very moment. Talk about gut-wrenching! The emotional turmoil that dealing with the reality of Hell can generate in any person is almost beyond words, so this book is a very personal one that Thor did not take lightly. As Thor says in that last chapter, “...this issue has true emotional force for me-it’s not just abstract theological doctrine or intellectual gymnastics.” (pg. 70) Therefore, not only was the book a labor of love for the church body as a whole, but also one of personal struggle, pain, triumph, and liberating joy found only in the hands of a Sovereign God who created not only a beautiful Heaven for His children, but a torturous Hell for the unrepentant.
Furthermore, the fact that Thor Ramsey is a practicing Christian comedian, I was very curious about how he would handle such a powerful and sensitive topic. I was very concerned that there would be some crude or cold remarks made at inopportune times in this book, but I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case at all. In fact, Thor’s jokes were well-timed and evenly spaced out in the book. I can honestly admit that I found myself chuckling a number of times during the reading of this book.
The Most Encouraging Book on Hell EVER is passionately evangelistic, and a wonderful antidote to the “Santa-Jesus” that is being peddled by the false teachers/preachers of modern times. The shift from a bible-centered view on Hell, to a “Hell can be whatever you want it to be (if you want to believe in it at all)” is something that Thor confronts with wonderfully gracious hands. He does not come across as vindictive at all towards those who have done, or are doing, the most damage to this Biblical doctrine. Instead, Thor goes again and again to the Word of God and powerfully refutes the false doctrines that are permeating modern society.
The Most Encouraging Book on Hell EVER is a brief, but biblical, handling of a very sensitive topic. I highly recommend this book to all believers.
I received this for free from Cruciform Press in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
May 2, 2018
The author’s style is light and easy to ready. I agreed with all the points, but as someone who has never heard of some of the strange doctrines this book addresses I found it a little repetitive. Would have liked more tips on how to deliver the truth (in love).
February 5, 2021
A no-holds-barred, concise teaching about Hell as presented in the Bible. Although the subject is often neglected, the author shows clearly why it should be taught clearly and often.
February 17, 2014
Besides the author’s very cool first name, The Most Encouraging Book on Hell Ever written by Thor Ramsey is a good little read. It is less than 100 pages and deals with the very unpopular topic of hell in a forthright manner with a little sarcasm thrown in.
He goes into detail about what it would really mean if there were no hell and makes the connection that if there were no hell God is not worthy of our trust or love. He also deals with the thorny issue concerning God’s hatred for sin & those pesky verses were it is recorded that God also hates sinners. He also points out that for many if not most we really don’t believe we deserve God’s wrath.
In all this he quotes Richard Roberts, “Sinners who love both their sin & themselves find it very pleasant to be told that God loves them just the way they are. It is delightful for them to be informed that it is only their sin that God despises. But statements of this sort only represent human traditions & are a long way from biblical truth.”
I like books that will challenge the way we think about something, books that are not afraid to say something in such a way as to make us sit up & take note of what we think about something & if it is really in line with the bible. This book does that.
Thor also looks at our sentimental view of God & the problems that creates as well as free will. So as you can see there is quite a bit in this little book. In the end Thor wraps it up with a great explanation concerning the Gospel & that it is a Gospel that rescues.
He goes into detail about what it would really mean if there were no hell and makes the connection that if there were no hell God is not worthy of our trust or love. He also deals with the thorny issue concerning God’s hatred for sin & those pesky verses were it is recorded that God also hates sinners. He also points out that for many if not most we really don’t believe we deserve God’s wrath.
In all this he quotes Richard Roberts, “Sinners who love both their sin & themselves find it very pleasant to be told that God loves them just the way they are. It is delightful for them to be informed that it is only their sin that God despises. But statements of this sort only represent human traditions & are a long way from biblical truth.”
I like books that will challenge the way we think about something, books that are not afraid to say something in such a way as to make us sit up & take note of what we think about something & if it is really in line with the bible. This book does that.
Thor also looks at our sentimental view of God & the problems that creates as well as free will. So as you can see there is quite a bit in this little book. In the end Thor wraps it up with a great explanation concerning the Gospel & that it is a Gospel that rescues.
March 3, 2015
"Encouraging" and "Hell" don't often go together. Neither does the idea of a comedian writing a book about Hell. But it works. Ramsey uniquely balances good wit with a tender look at the subject of Hell, all the while showing how Hell glorifies God. This isn't the strongest biblical defense of the existence of Hell: it's much more focused on the why for Hell than on proving the existence of Hell from different biblical passages. But given its scope, it fulfills that goal rather well in its short 100 pages of run-time. And a bit of well-timed humor on the side doesn't hurt. Great argument for why getting rid of Hell fundamentally changes the nature of God.
Rating: 3.5-4 Stars (Good).
Rating: 3.5-4 Stars (Good).
November 29, 2015
The truth is you don't see many books on hell at all, let alone "encouraging" books. I guess that is Ramsey's point. It is sad we need a defense of the doctrine of hell but it is a concept that flies in the face of our Post-Modern times. Ramsey is witty and sarcastic which gives the book a conversational tone. It is condensed and focuses on the "why" of hell which is a philosophical approach, though it doesn't always feel like it.
August 4, 2014
Very few who hold to orthodox Christian belief would use the word “encouraging” to describe hell, yet Ramsey is able to show why hell—as the perfect justice of God—can give us confidence in the goodness and rightness of our Creator. Ramsey writes with a clear voice and ease of prose that engages readers, although his snark borders on flippancy (and is too prevalent in such a short book). Scripturally sound and a useful resource.
April 7, 2016
This is a great little book that defends the doctrine of the biblical hell being a true, eternal punishment. But it is not about hell in and of itself. It is about the eternal Glory of the One who rightly punishes sinners. Often using a humorous or sarcastic tone, the author writes about a very serious topic, and his book is very drenched with the Gospel. The last 30 pages or so really blew me away and brought this book to a strong conclusion. I recommend it very highly.
February 24, 2014
Ramsey tackles a difficult topic in a biblical manner. I found the book edifying and would recommend it to others.
March 1, 2014
2-25-2014 I started reading this book today. I do have this in e-book format!
May 26, 2014
At times a bit too whimsical, but overall this book is filled with strong, clear, biblical arguments.
March 24, 2022
I highly recommend this book to any Christian. It is an encouraging book on why hell is right and good and REAL!
I just reread this book and can recommend it more highly!
I just reread this book and can recommend it more highly!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews